United Kingdom

How to get from London to Loughborough

Compare all transport options: bus, ferry, train, flight. Prices, durations and practical tips.

⏱
FASTEST
2h 50min
💶
From
10€
📍
Distance
159 km
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⚡ Quick answer

Checked offer from London to Loughborough: Coach, about 2h 50min – 3h 25min, from €10. Main companies selling this route on 12Go (checked on November 5, 2026): FlixBus, National Express; main departure point: Victoria Bus Station.

Distance: 159 km. Data updated on .

One option to get from London to Loughborough

Select an option below to see the route details and compare prices. Secure booking via our partner 12go.asia.

Coach
2h 50min – 3h 25min
10 – 11 €
View
🚌 Departure from London
📍Long-distance coaches from London usually depart from Victoria Coach Station on Buckingham Palace Road. Check the departure point on your e-ticket, keep it on your phone, and watch the station screens for your bay.
🚇Victoria Coach Station is a short walk from Victoria railway and Underground stations, and is also served by many London buses. A taxi or ride-hailing car is an easy option if you are carrying heavy luggage.
⏰Coaches run through the day, from early morning to the evening, with several departures on most days. Frequency varies by day and season, so check live times on the booking page.
💸 Transport from 10€ per person
⚡ Fastest: 2h 50min
🗓 Book now Secure payment · via 12go.asia

Companies selling this route on 12Go

Offers listed on 12Go on November 5, 2026 for a departure on November 26, 2026. Timetables and prices change with the date: check them before booking.

CompanyModeDeparts fromFromOffers
FlixBus Bus Victoria Bus Station €10 4
National Express Bus Victoria Bus Station €12 3
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Practical tips

💡
Book early for the lowest fares

Coach fares in Britain rise as the departure date approaches and the cheapest seats sell first. Book online as soon as your plans are fixed, and compare several departure times to find the best value.

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Avoid expensive walk-up fares

Buying on the day at the station is usually the priciest way to travel in the UK. Booking your seat online in advance lets you lock in a lower fare and arrive with your e-ticket already on your phone.

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Check the exact London departure point

London has many stations, and coaches do not leave from railway terminals like Euston, King's Cross or Paddington. Read your booking confirmation carefully, and note that long-distance coaches usually use Victoria Coach Station.

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Allow a buffer after your flight

Arriving at Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted or Luton? Delays, passport control and baggage claim can run long. Pick a later coach and leave plenty of time to reach the London departure point so you don't miss it.

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Plan ahead on busy dates

Bank holidays, university term start and end dates and summer weekends fill coaches quickly. Book as early as you can, keep your e-ticket accessible offline, and avoid the last departure of the day if you can.

The journey experience

Heading from London to Loughborough, you want to know quickly what works best. The coach is the option listed for this route, and the comparison table on this page puts duration and price range side by side, so you can decide without opening ten tabs.

The coach is a straightforward ride north from the capital to this East Midlands university town. You get a reclining seat, a luggage hold for your backpack or suitcase, and a drop-off in town, so there are no awkward cross-city transfers on arrival. That suits budget travellers, students heading to campus and anyone who prefers to book once and stay put until they arrive.

British fares move with the day, the hour and how early you book, so the cheapest seats go first. Book ahead, choose a quieter departure if you can, and check your e-ticket for the exact London departure point. Long-distance coaches usually leave from Victoria Coach Station, which is not the same as a railway station like Euston or King's Cross. If you land at Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted or Luton, leave yourself a generous buffer before the coach. Your e-ticket arrives instantly, so you can travel with confidence.

Frequently asked questions — London → Loughborough

Why visit Loughborough?

  • ✓ Ride a steam train on the Great Central Railway, the UK's only double-track mainline heritage railway
  • ✓ Explore the Carillon Tower and war memorial museum in Queen's Park, with its 47-bell carillon
  • ✓ Visit the Bell Foundry Museum at John Taylor & Co, the world's largest working bell foundry
  • ✓ Watch elite athletes at Loughborough University's world-class sports facilities, a training base for Team GB
  • ✓ Walk the Grand Union Canal towpath and the Charnwood Forest hills for easy countryside escapes
🌙
Recommended stay
1 to 2 nights — compact town centre, with heritage railway and Charnwood Forest easy to combine

When to visit Loughborough?

TEMPERATE OCEANIC CLIMATE

May to September — mild, longest days, and the steam railway runs its fullest timetable and events

Jan 😞
Feb 😞
Mar 😐
Apr 😐
May 😊
Jun 😊
Jul 😊
Aug 😊
Sep 😊
Oct 😐
Nov 😞
Dec 😞
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In Loughborough — Plan your stay
Accommodation, activities and tips selected for you
🏨 Accommodation
Hotels in Loughborough
Compare the best rates available
via trip.com

What to do in Loughborough?

Local experiences, must-see sights and activities selected for you

MUST-SEE
🚂
Great Central Railway steam trains
Britain's only double-track mainline heritage railway runs steam trains between Loughborough and Leicester North. Allow about 1h30 for a return trip. Tickets start around 20€; check the timetable online, as services mostly run weekends and school holidays. Book dinner or Sunday lunch services early.
🔔
Loughborough Carillon Tower
This 47-metre war memorial in Queens Park houses one of the UK's largest carillons, with 47 bells. Recitals are usually held on Saturdays and Sundays. Climb the tower for views over the town and Charnwood Forest. Entry to the museum is free, with a small donation welcome.
🔔
John Taylor Bell Foundry Museum
Taylor's is the world's largest working bell foundry, casting bells for cathedrals worldwide, including Great Paul at St Paul's. Visit the museum to understand the casting process, with guided tours available by prior booking. Expect to pay around 10€, and book ahead as visits are limited.
🌳
Queens Park and its gardens
Opened in 1902, this Victorian park is the town's green heart, with formal gardens, a bandstand, a lake and the Carillon at its centre. It's ideal for a free picnic break between sights. Visit in spring or summer for the best floral displays, and check the events calendar for summer concerts.
🥾
Charnwood Forest walks
Just south-west of town, Charnwood Forest offers rocky hills and ancient woodland. Bradgate Park, about 20 minutes by car, has free entry, roaming deer and the ruins of Lady Jane Grey's birthplace. Take sturdy shoes, arrive early on weekends, and expect parking to cost around 5€.
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Traditional pub and real ale
Loughborough has a strong real ale scene around the Market Place and Ashby Road. Try a local cask bitter in a traditional pub, often served from dedicated hand pumps. A pint typically costs 4 to 5€. Ask staff for the guest ales, as the selection rotates frequently.
🛍️
Thursday and Saturday Market
Loughborough's market has traded in the town centre for over 750 years, with stalls for local produce, cheese, baked goods and street food. It runs on Thursdays and Saturdays, plus other days with fewer stalls. Arrive before noon for the best choice and try a local Leicestershire pork pie for about 3€.
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Grand Union Canal towpath stroll
Walk or cycle along the canal and River Soar towpath, starting from Loughborough Basin. It's a quiet, flat route with narrowboats, waterside pubs and birdlife, and it's free. Allow 1 to 2 hours for a round trip, and stop at a canalside pub for lunch around 12€.

How long to visit Loughborough?

1 to 2 days

Loughborough is best as a 1-2 day stop. In one day, walk the university campus area and Queen's Park, see the Carillon Tower and War Memorial Museum, and visit the Great Central Railway steam trains. With a second day, add Charnwood Forest hikes or a day trip to Nottingham or Leicester. Book Great Central Railway tickets ahead on event days and check timetables before you go.

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